new to forum, new article in Car Online

[superlight]

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/secret_...sid=682&page=1

this is the real deal, help me out here, I was going to pull the trigger on the GTI, then I saw this.

[spudw]

The last page of the article indicates the images are "artists impressions". Scott26 posted one of them yesterday...

Looks good, though. Although the rear-end of the "M1" looks a little awkward around the tail lights, and trunk lid.

[Brookside]

Originally Posted by superlight

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/secret_...sid=682&page=1

this is the real deal, help me out here, I was going to pull the trigger on the GTI, then I saw this.

Yes, it is real...that is, an "M" version of the 1-er is going to be a reality.
But it isn't going to be as affordable as the GTI.

[spudw]

That would be one hell of a GTI...

[superlight]

What are the project dates for a 1 coupe, and M1 coupe, for America? I know the car will be shown at the Geneva Show (what dates are those) in Europe.
THANKS

[Brookside]

The 1-er coupe and possibly the cabrio will international debut in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show. 1-er is now planned to be N/A introduced May, 2008.

This is from BusinessWeek, published yesterday...

Early next year, BMW aims to bring its hot-selling 1 Series compact to the U.S. market. BMW introduced the 1 Series in Europe in 2003 amid fears a lower-priced car would dilute the BMW brand. Instead, it drove sales by well-heeled younger customers and added to the brand's cachet. BMW is also developing a four-door coupe, a flagship sportscar that will challenge the Porsche Panamera due out in 2009. Dubbed the Concept CS, the super-luxury coupe will bridge the gap between the company's flagship 7 Series, which starts at $75,000 or $122,000, and the $333,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom. (BMW owns Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.) The Concept CS was unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show on Apr. 20